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ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VAPING

blu wants to empower vapers and educate those who may be in the dark about what e-cigarettes are, so we've put together an Ultimate Guide to Vaping which outlines and answers all the questions you could ever have about vaping.

What is vaping?

Vaping is the act of using an electronic device to deliver nicotine or non-nicotine e-liquid in vapour form. An e-cigarette is the device used to convert e-liquid to vapour. E-cigarettes, which are also called e-cigs or vapourizers, come in a number of shapes, sizes, and specifications, all of which are explored later in our Ultimate Guide to Vaping.

What Are The Different Types of E-Cigarette?

E-cigarettes come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. Some are small and lightweight while others are much bigger and bulkier. In this section of blu’s Ultimate Guide to Vaping, we look at the different kinds of e-cigarettes.

Closed System E-Cigarette

Closed System e-cigarettes, which are sometimes called cig-a-likes, are long, slender devices that do not need to be disassembled to be refilled. The heating element is internalised and cannot be taken apart, which means that Closed System e-cigarettes are easier to refill as all you need to do unscrew the old cartridge and replace it with a new one.

Closed System e-cigarettes are comprised of two distinct parts: a cartridge, which is sealed and already contains the e-liquid, and a Rechargeable Device, which heats the coil turning the e-liquid into vapour.

Open System E-Cigarette

An Open System e-cigarette is bigger and bulkier than a cig-a-like. It’s not disposable, so you can use it over and over again, and there are more removable parts. Open System e-cigs, which are sometimes referred to as vape pens, are made up of a Rechargeable Device, a clearomiser, and a mouthpiece. The e-liquid is held in the clearomiser, and when the mouthpiece is unscrewed from the clearomiser the e-liquid can be refilled manually.

Open System e-cigarettes involve more work and maintenance than Closed System e-cigs, but allow vapers to use a variety of flavours. Furthermore, as they’re reusable, Open System e-cigarettes can be more cost-effective.

Mods and Advanced Personal Vaporizers

Open and Closed System e-cigarettes are fairly commonplace, but what about e-cigarettes that are a little more unique? Along with the more standard vaping offerings, there are also Mods, which are also referred to as Advanced Personal Vaporizers (APVs). Mods come in a variety of specifications and styles with custom finishes or designs as well as different specifications such as larger batteries.

However, while Mods have some benefits, they’re typically used by more experienced vapers. Newcomers may find themselves lost among the terminology and may want to ask more questions or do more research before using an APV.

What Type of E-Cigarette Should I Use?

It depends on how much you know about vaping. If you’ve not vaped before, the blu PLUS+™ comes with removable cartridges designed to give a simpler vaping experience. The blu PLUS+™ Charge Kit can also charge your e-cigarette on-the-go and store extra cartridges.

How do e-cigarettes work?

E-cigarettes work by converting e-liquid into vapour which is then inhaled. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how e-cigarettes work:

The Rechargeable Device, which can also be called the battery, is turned on either by motion sensors inside the mouthpiece or by a button on the side of the device.

The heating element inside the tank or clearomiser is turned on, heating the e-liquid.

When heated, the e-liquid turns into vapour, which can then be inhaled through the mouthpiece.

Charging

To produce vapour, e-cigarettes need to be charged. All of blu’s Rechargeable Devices can be charged using a USB cable, and some products can be charged using a charging pack. E-cigs will take between 1-3 hours to charge and will usually charge quicker if plugged into a mains outlet rather than a laptop. It is recommended that e-cigarettes are not left to charge for longer than necessary as this can wear down the device.

Refilling

When the e-liquid inside the cartridge or clearomiser runs out, an e-cigarette needs to be refilled before it can be used again. Open System e-cigarettes like the blu PRO™ are refilled by unscrewing the component parts and gently squeezing e-liquid from the bottle into the clearomiser. E-cigarettes like the blu PLUS+™ can be refilled by screwing on a new tank.

Storing

Keeping e-cigarettes in a safe place can help keep them working for longer. It is generally advised that they are kept at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. Finding a proper place for your e-cig will ensure that it doesn’t get dirty or damaged, but if your e-cigarette is looking unclean, use a cotton bud to get rid of any debris on or inside the device.

What are e-liquids?

E-liquid is the fluid which is converted into vapour by the e-cigarette before being inhaled. E-liquids are available in a wide variety of flavours and nicotine strengths.

E-liquid is mainly comprised of either Propylene Glycol (PG) or Vegetable Glycerin (VG). E-liquids typically feature both PG and VG, with one of the two often more dominant than the other.

PG is also used in the production of food and plastics, amongst others, and is more commonly used than VG in the production of e-liquid. PG is generally thought to provide a better throat hit, offers greater flavor intensity and as PG is less viscous that VG, it makes it easier to clean the clearomiser.

Vegetable Glycerin is sweeter than Propylene Glycol, meaning that e-liquids made primarily of VG will be much sweeter. Vegetable Glycerin is thicker than Propylene Glycol, which means it can clog up the clearomiser if it is not regularly cleaned. However, VG is said to provide thicker plumes of vape than PG.

Along with Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin, e-liquids can also contain distilled water, which is added to help reduce viscosity, flavourings (which vary depending on the flavour of the e-liquid), and nicotine (although some e-liquids are nicotine free). These ingredients will vary depending on the specifications of the e-liquid.

What are e-liquid strengths?

E-liquids come in a range of nicotine strengths. Some e-liquids are much stronger than others, and nicotine-free e-liquids are also available in certain flavours. E-liquid strengths are measured in percentages and this indicates how much of the liquid is made up of nicotine. The maximum percentage of nicotine allowed in e-liquid is set at 2% in accordance with the EUTPD. The strongest e-liquids available from blu contain 1.6% nicotine.

History of vaping

Vaping was first introduced in 2004, when renowned pharmacist and current Fontem Ventures consultant Hon Lik invented the first modern e-cigarette. Lik’s initial design remains the inspiration for subsequent e-cigarettes produced all over the world, although several features have been added to improve their usability. Since the introduction of e-cigarettes roughly a decade ago the popularity of vaping has spread across the globe and vapers can now be found in a wide variety of cities and countries. For more information on the history of vaping, check out our blog.